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Research and evidence

LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing data

Explore insights on the health, wellbeing and experiences of LGBTQ+ people in Liverpool, including access to services and health inequalities.

Everyone in Liverpool should have the opportunity to live a healthy, safe and fulfilling life. However, some LGBTQ+ people experience poorer health outcomes and barriers to services because of discrimination, stigma and services that do not always meet their needs.

Health Needs Assessment

Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ Health Needs Assessment was developed to better understand the experiences, health needs and priorities of LGBTQ+ residents. It brought together survey responses, focus groups and evidence to identify actions to reduce health inequalities and improve access to support.

The assessment highlighted health inequalities across:

  • mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • access to healthcare services
  • sexual health and HIV prevention 
  • smoking, vaping, alcohol and drug use
  • experiences of discrimination and feeling safe in services and communities

The Liverpool LGBTQ+ Steering Group is overseeing progress of recommendations from the Health Needs Assessment.

 

Key findings of the assessment

Feeling included and supported

  • 48% reported experiences of gender stereotyping 
  • 33% reported inappropriate questions or curiosity from others 

What this means 

Some LGBTQ+ residents experience barriers that can affect how comfortable they feel accessing healthcare and support services. 

Priorities 

  • Increase staff understanding of LGBTQ+ health needs 
  • Use inclusive language and communication 
  • Create welcoming and respectful environments 
  • Improve data collection to better understand local needs 

Mental health and wellbeing

LGBTQ+ people may experience additional pressures linked to stigma, discrimination, isolation and barriers to support. 

What this means 

Improving access to mental health support and strengthening community connections can help improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness. 

Priorities 

  • Raise awareness of support services 
  • Ensure services consider LGBTQ+ experiences 
  • Strengthen peer support networks 

Smoking, vaping and healthy habits

  • 37% of respondents reported smoking or vaping 

What this means 

Smoking and vaping were identified as important areas for action, highlighting the need for support that meets the needs of LGBTQ+ communities.

Priorities 

  • Reduce smoking and vaping inequalities 
  • Improve awareness of support services 
  • Ensure services are accessible and inclusive 

Sexual health and HIV prevention

76% of respondents had not heard of HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medication that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV.  

What this means 

There is an opportunity to increase awareness of HIV prevention, testing and sexual health services across LGBTQ+ communities. 

Priorities 

  • Increase awareness of PrEP 
  • Promote HIV testing 
  • Improve understanding of available services 
  • Ensure services meet the needs of LGBTQ+ residents 

Accessing health and care services

LGBTQ+ residents told us that services can be improved by making sure staff have the knowledge and confidence to provide inclusive care. 

Priorities: 

  • improve LGBTQ+ awareness training  
  • challenge discrimination and harmful stereotypes  
  • strengthen community involvement in service design  
  • improve monitoring of health inequalities through data collection  

Further insights and resources:

Liverpool information

Liverpool Equalities Dashboard

Liverpool City Region (LCR)

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities

Inclusion health data and intelligence resource for England